Art is a talent acquired by experience, study, or observation learning that requires the conscious use of skillful and creative imagination. A piece of artwork reflects the culture that created it, though this might not be apparent to its contemporary observers. Art heavily depends on context. The available materials, subjects, themes, metaphors, politics, and technology influence the creation of painting. The audience's insight into a work improves as an understanding of the artist's culture grows. In this essay, I will give a brief overview of Edwin Long's life, discuss the events that were occurring during the time he painted Vashti Refuses the King's Summons, and explain the story behind this painting.
             Edwin Long was born in Bath in the year of 1829. Edwin's father was an artist therefore; he "had an early and precocious talent for drawing" (Bills 12). He began his career as a portraitist and in his youth, he twice tried to enroll at the Royal Academy Schools. However, was refused entry due to deficiencies in his drawing. He then decided to move back to Bath because of the setbacks. He visited Spain in 1857, on the advice of John Phillip, who was his teacher (22). Edwin listened to John and visited the country regularly between 1857 until 1873. He was very impressed and interested in the work of Murillo. After seeing Murillo's work, Edwin began to paint scenes of Spanish life and portraiture. He visited Egypt and Syria in 1874 and his career took a new direction. The direction it took made him become an orientalist painter. He started to develop large historical works illustrating passages from the bible and the customs of the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Egypt (32). Edwin's paintings consisted of a rich and exotic style. They were strong in detail and often on canvases of large size, allowing him to show long processions and enormous palaces. He was a very popular and successful artist in the 1870...